Fortitude

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ˈfɔːtɪtjuːd/

Origin

From Old French, from Latin fortitūdō ("bravery, strength"), from fortis ("brave, strong").

Full definition of fortitude

Noun

1. Mental or emotional strength that enables courage in the face of adversity.
• 1612, William Shakespeare, King Henry VIII, act 3, sc. 2:. . . I am able now, methinks,Out of a fortitude of soul I feel,To endure more miseries.
• circa 1794 Jane Austen, , ch. 1:I shall soon have need for all my fortitude, as I am on the point of separation from my own daughter.
• 1906, Joseph Conrad, The Mirror of the Sea, ch. 21:She may be saved by your efforts, by your resource and fortitude bearing up against the heavy weight of guilt and failure.
• 2012 Jan. 30, Fareed Zakaria, "The Strategist," Time:Mitt Romney . . . charges that Obama is an appeaser who apologizes for America, lacks fortitude and is "tentative, indecisive, timid and nuanced."
2. (archaic) Physical strength.
• 1604, William Shakespeare, Othello, act 1, sc. 3:DUKE OF VENICE: The Turk with a most mighty preparation makes forCyprus. Othello, the fortitude of the place is bestknown to you.

Synonyms

• (mental or emotional strength) inner strength, moxie, resolve